HVAC Training & Certification in Ohio

Nationwide and in Ohio, HVAC workers earn relatively generous salaries compared to occupations with similar educational attainment. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2017) reported that there were 307,060 HVAC workers around the country with an average annual salary of $49,530. In Ohio, average salaries were a bit lower, with the 11480 HVAC workers employed in the state earning an average of $47,240 per year. Following is a more detailed breakdown of the comparison between OH salaries and those of the rest of the country.

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, Payscale (Nov. 2018), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles:

United States: 889 HVAC workers responding

• 10th percentile: $29,000
• 25th percentile: $36,000
• 50th percentile (median): $44,532
• 75th percentile: $56,000
• 90th percentile: $71,000

An additional 4,873 HVAC workers gave Payscale their hourly salary figures, resulting in these percentile wages:

• 10th percentile: $13.00/hr.
• 25th percentile: $15.00/hr.
• 50th percentile (median): $19.24/hr.
• 75th percentile: $24.00/hr.
• 90th percentile: $30.00/hr.

As noted above, the average salary for HVAC workers in Ohio is a bit lower than that of the rest of the nation. As with any salary projections, taking into account the cost of living is also important. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2018) ranked Ohio 16th in terms of affordability, making the cost of living lower than average. Ohio residents can expect to find, in particular, big savings when it comes to the cost of housing. For HVAC technicians this means that even a lower than average salary will go further in Ohio than it would in many other states.

The BLS designated 15 regions within Ohio for which employment data is available. The 150 HVAC workers in the Springfield, OH area earned the highest average salary in the state at $53,880 while the 860 workers in Dayton had the lowest average salary at $41,460. Following are the detailed salary data for the state of Ohio:

Akron, OH (1100 HVAC workers): $43,470 annual average salary

Canton-Massillon, OH (180 HVAC workers): $47,210 annual average salary

Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN (2320 HVAC workers): $46,930 annual average salary

Cleveland-Elyria, OH (1930 HVAC workers): $52,540 annual average salary

Columbus, OH (2120 HVAC workers): $48,640 annual average salary

Dayton, OH (860 HVAC workers): $41,160 annual average salary

Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (400 HVAC workers): $46,910 annual average salary

Lima, OH (190 HVAC workers): $46,040 annual average salary

Mansfield, OH (130 HVAC workers): $44,180 annual average salary

North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (680 HVAC workers): $44,500 annual average salary

Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (370 HVAC workers): $44,300 annual average salary

Springfield, OH (150 HVAC workers): $53,880 annual average salary

Toledo, OH (740 HVAC workers): $46,530 annual average salary

West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (460 HVAC workers): $51,210 annual average salary

Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA (170 HVAC workers): $46,630 annual average salary

For Ohio residents interested in careers in HVAC, it’s important to have proper credentialing prior to seeking employment. There is one mandatory certification for all professionals who work with refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 certification. Due to the environmentally harmful nature of the chemicals used in refrigeration, it’s essential to have the proper training in their proper use and disposal. There are four categories of this certification: type I (small appliances), type II (high-pressure refrigerants), type III (low-pressure refrigerants), and type IV (universal). There are also various national organizations which test HVAC workers and provide skill-based credentialing as well. These include the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), North American Technician Excellence (NATE), and HVAC Excellence. To learn in depth about the options available from these entities, please check out the HVAC certifications page.

While no state license is required for general technicians in Ohio, those seeking to become commercial contractors must seek licensure through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). In order to qualify for an HVAC contractors license in Ohio, candidates must be at least 18 years of age and submit the following:

• Proof of at least five years of experience as a tradesperson under a licensed contractor in the field (including a copy of at least one permit from a project), or be a registered engineer with at least three years of business experience working in HVAC
• Passing score on the OCI Examining Board’s test
• Background check
• Proof of having at least $500,000 in contractor liability insurance
• Application fee ($25)

To maintain these licenses, contractors must complete ten hours of continuing education annually. Lastly, Ohio boasts licensing reciprocity in HVAC with four states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Therefore, people with credentials from these states will find it relatively easy to pursue HVAC work in Ohio, and vice versa for OH HVAC contractors seeking work in those states.

Because licensure requirements can vary by municipality, HVAC professionals in Ohio should ensure that they are operating within the requirements of the state as well as they city where they work. It is the job of any HVAC technician to verify licensure requirement and keep their credentialing up to date.